HOSPITAL VISITING

All hospital visitors are recommended to wear a medical face mask. For more information about visiting: Visitors and family .  See our COVID-19 page for general COVID-19 advice, detailed hospital visiting guidelines and COVID-19 tests.

See West Coast COVID-19 vaccination clinics for info on vaccinations link COVID-19 Vaccination • West Coast • Healthpoint

Last updated: 16 September 2022

Fewer visitor restrictions now apply

For visitors to all facilities (effective from and last updated on 16 september 2022).

Some visitor restrictions for all Te Whatu Ora Te Tai o Poutini West Coast health facilities remain in place, but we have relaxed others.

There is still a heightened risk to vulnerable people in hospital and so people must continue to wear a mask when visiting any of our facilities and follow other advice designed to keep patients, staff and other visitors safe.

Kia whakahaumaru te whānau, me ngā iwi katoa – this is to keep everybody safe:

  • Visitors or support people must not visit our facilities if they are unwell. Do not visit if you have recently tested positive for COVID-19 and haven’t completed your isolation period.
  • Patients in single rooms may have more than one visitor while patients in multi-bed rooms can have one visitor only per patient to ensure there is no overcrowding.
  • People can have one or two support people to accompany them to outpatients appointments.
  • Women in labour in a birthing suite, in Te Nīkau Hospital’s Maternity Ward and in Buller’s Kawatiri Maternity Unit can have the usual support people, subject to space, for the duration of their stay in our facilities.
  • Eating or drinking at the bedside is at the discretion of the Clinical Nurse Manager. Visitors must not eat or drink in multibed rooms because of the increased risk when multiple people remove their mask in the same space.
  • Hand sanitiser is available and must be used.

Thank you in advance for your patience and understanding as our staff work hard to protect and care for some of the most vulnerable in our community.

Mask wearing

  • Surgical/medical masks must be worn at all sites, except in counselling, mental health and addiction services where it’s on a case-by-case agreement with patients. Masks will be provided if you don’t have one. In higher-risk environments, people, including young children, may not be able to visit if they cannot wear a mask.
  • Any member of the public with a mask exemption is welcome in all our facilities when attending to receive health care and *treatment . Please show your mask exemption card and appointment letter to staff at the entrance. *Treatment includes coming into the Emergency Department, outpatient appointments, surgery or a procedure.

Visiting patients with COVID-19

  • People are able to visit patients who have COVID-19 but they must wear an N95 mask – this will be provided if you don’t have one.
  • Other methods of communication will be facilitated e.g. phone, Facetime, Zoom, WhatsApp etc where visits aren’t possible.

You must NOT visit our facilities if you

  • are COVID-19 positive
  • are unwell. Please stay home if you have a tummy bug or cold or flu/COVID-19-like symptoms (even if you’ve tested negative for COVID-19).

Te Whatu Ora West Coast Aged Residential Care facilities

Visitors are welcome at our Aged Care Residential facilities, subject to the space available. All visitors must wear a surgical mask.

More COVID-19 information

  • Latest advice: Symptoms, prevention, treatment, how it spreads & more
  • Contact tracing
  • Countries and areas of concern
  • COVID-19 Testing
  • COVID-19 Vaccinations
  • Face mask and hygiene advice
  • Home care information
  • Managing your mental wellbeing
  • Questions and answers
  • Self-isolation information
  • Visit my Covid Record

I'm not well, where do I go?

Grazed knee, light cough, go to healthinfo.co.nz

Diarrhoea, runny nose, hayfever, sore throat

Phone Advice 24/7

Unwell? Call your practice to talk to a nurse after hours

General Practice

Non-urgent health concerns, ear pain, fever

Hospital Emergency

Serious accidents, chest pains, stroke call 111

  • Healthcare for tourists and visitors to New Zealand
  • Your health
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Healthcare for tourists is covered for accidental injuries.  Everyone in New Zealand, including visitors, is covered for medical care for accidental injuries through ACC. When you visit a doctor or hospital for an injury, you will be asked to fill out a form so ACC can pay for your treatment. There may still be some cost to you.

You will have to pay for healthcare for illnesses, and it is highly recommended you have travel insurance.

If you have a work visa for more than two years, you may be eligible for other health subsidies and benefits. See the Ministry of Health’s eligibility guide .

At hospital, an Interpreter Service is available for tourists and visitors to New Zealand who do not speak fluent English. Please ask a nurse for an interpreter.

How do I pay?

If you have to go to hospital during your stay in New Zealand, staff will discuss the cost of treatment with you during your stay. You will get an invoice when you are discharged from hospital.

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Ngā whare rata kaupapa whānui General practices

What general practices do.

General practice teams can:

  • provide treatment when you are unwell
  • provide treatment and health advice for long-term conditions
  • treat injuries
  • help with wellbeing and mental health conditions
  • prescribe medicines and give injections
  • perform minor surgery
  • refer you to other health professionals when necessary and work with them to look after you
  • give lifestyle advice to help keep you well
  • give immunisations.

Team members

General practices teams vary between general practices and can include: 

  • Qualified doctors trained in general practice.
  • Practice nurses — registered nurses who provide nursing care, give treatment and advice.
  • Clinical nurse specialists — expert nurses with special skills and knowledge in a specific clinical area, such as diabetes. They can prescribe some medicines
  • Nurse practitioners — registered nurses with advanced education and clinical training. You may see a nurse practitioner instead of a GP. They can order tests, prescribe some medicines and treat you 
  • Counsellors and social workers
  • Health improvement practitioners and health coaches.

They may also include allied health professionals such as:

  • occupational therapists
  • optometrists
  • osteopaths.

Choose your general practice

In Aotearoa New Zealand, you can choose the doctor or general practice that you visit.

You can search Healthpoint for general practices. You can filter your search based on their hours, location, services and if they are enrolling new patients.

  • GPs — Healthpoint (external link) ↗

You can search the Medical Council's register to find out whether a doctor is currently registered and is able to practise in New Zealand, as well as other public information.  

Register of doctors —  Medical Council of New Zealand (external link) ↗

Sometimes a general practice will not take on new patients. If this happens, they should refer you to their public health office (PHO) for help finding another practice. The PHO may put you on a waitlist, and arrange for you to get care in the meantime. You can also search Healthpoint PHOs.

  • Primary health organisations — Te Whatu Ora (external link) ↗

Māori health providers

Māori health provider services are whānau-centred and sit within a kaupapa Māori framework. Providers support you to access and choose culturally relevant approaches to support your wellbeing. The services Māori health providers offer may include:

  • Whanau Ora (family health)
  • Well Child Tamariki Ora (child health)
  • general practitioner services
  • Māori community nursing
  • rangatahi (youth health services)
  • mental health
  • disability support services
  • health promotion and education.

Find a Māori health provider and the services they offer near you.

Kaupapa Māori — Healthpoint (external link) ↗

It is free to enrol with a general practice. But they may charge a consultation fee each time you go to see them after that.

General practices normally charge a higher fee if you are not enrolled with their practice. This is often called a casual rate. 

If you enrol with a general practice your care will be subsidised. This means you will pay a reduced consultation fee. 

General practices can only enrol you if you are eligible for publicly funded health services. When you enrol you may be asked to show proof. This could include a passport or birth certificate. You will be asked to sign an enrolment form. 

Eligibility for publicly funded healthcare — Health New Zealand (external link) ↗

Your medical records

Your medical record is kept with the general practice you are enrolled with. But any health professional involved in your care can look at your record. You can ask to look at your record at any time.

Your rights and privacy

What you will pay

General practices are private businesses. They set their own fees for visits and other health services they provide. 

The cost of a visit will be lower if you are enrolled with the practice. This is because the Government subsidises the fee for enrolled patients.

For a list of practices and their fees, check the website of your local primary health organisation.

Primary health organisations — Health New Zealand (external link) ↗

If you are seeing your general practice about an injury caused by an accident, you will be charged a lower fee if it is covered by ACC.

Treatment we can help pay for — ACC

General practices are usually open business hours, Monday to Friday. There is a requirement that arrangements are put in place for patients to get care outside of these hours

Check with your practice where you should go if you do need care outside working hours. You might have to visit an after hours accident and medical clinic or another practice.

Call Healthline for free health advice from registered nurses, 24 hours a day. Phone   0800 611 116

If you have a long-term health condition or a terminal illness, you may be eligible for Care Plus.

General practices get extra Government funding for Care Plus patients. This means the practice can provide additional care at no further cost to you.

Care Plus — Health New Zealand

If you are visiting a general practice where you are not enrolled, you will pay less if you have a Community Services Card.

If you have a card and are enrolled with a general practice you will also get cheaper visits. This also includes visits relating to injuries at most practices, which are covered by ACC.

More information is available on the   Work and Income website. To check if you can get a card you can also call 0800 559 009

Community Services Card — Work and Income

You are entitled to free essential care during and after your pregnancy if your pēpi is born in Aotearoa New Zealand. 

Services and support during pregnancy — Ministry of Health

General practices can charge a fee for services provided outside of a consultation. This includes repeat prescriptions or referral letters to a specialist.

Your doctor may refer you to a hospital or specialist doctor for further assessment or diagnosis.

  • Specialist care is free through the public health system, but you may go on a waiting list.
  • If you want to get specialist advice quickly, you may wish to use a private hospital or specialist. You will have to pay a fee for this, unless you have private health insurance.

Some general practices join a Very Low Cost Access programme run by their primary health organisation. This means they get extra Government funding to keep their fees at low levels for all enrolled patients.

All tamariki aged 13 and under are eligible for free general practice visits. This includes visits during the day and after hours. Not all general practices provide free visits, so check with your general practice first.

Zero fees for tamariki under 14

Changing your general practice

When you enrol with a new general practice, you will be asked to sign a form so your records can be transferred from your old practice.

A practice should not refuse to enrol you unless they already have too many patients.

A practice can end your enrolment if there is an ‘irreparable breakdown’ in the relationship.

If you want to make a complaint about the care you get from your general practice contact either the:  

  • Health and Disability Commissioner (external link) ↗
  • New Zealand Medical Council (external link) ↗

Hospital visits

If you need emergency medical care, you will always be looked after if you go to a hospital.

These services are free of charge for eligible people :

  • inpatient and outpatient treatment at public hospitals
  • x-rays and tests done in public hospitals.

In some hospitals you may have to pay for GP-level care if you get it in the emergency department.

Elective health services

Elective health services are treatments that aren’t urgent, which you might have to wait to get.

If you’re eligible, you have the right to be considered for an elective treatment. Medical staff will offer the treatment that is right for you. How long you have to wait is based on a number of factors which health staff will look at.

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The Easy Way to See a Doctor for Tourists Travelling in New Zealand

The Easy Way to See a Doctor for Tourists Travelling in New Zealand

Article Single Pages

NZ Pocket Guide is 10 years old. Thank you for trusting us with your trip for over a decade!

Get a prescription and/or medical advice when travelling in new zealand without having to travel to a clinic.

The thought of having to seek medical attention in a foreign country can be stressful. Taking the time out of your, no doubt, well-planned itinerary for a medical emergency, like your luggage getting lost along with your supply of medication, or for an illness, is certainly not ideal. New Zealand ‘s community health clinics (where you usually have your GP/doctor’s consultation in person) are often booked for several days in advance and have limited opening hours, especially in small towns. Luckily, there’s an alternative to being stuck in a clinic’s waiting room for hours on end; CareHQ .

Working in partnership with New Zealand GP practices to help lighten their load, as well as providing a convenient option for patients when there isn’t an in-person clinic nearby or it’s after hours, CareHQ is the easy way for tourists to see a doctor when travelling in New Zealand. This guide will go over what it is, how it works and how it can keep your holiday travels going despite unfortunate circumstances.

doctor visit cost new zealand

5 Reasons Why CareHQ is an Easy Way to See a Doctor When Travelling in New Zealand

  • Appointments are as easy as using your phone , as all GP consultations are made by video call through the user-friendly CareHQ website (or app).
  • Do your consultation from anywhere ; so you don’t have to travel to a clinic or stay in the same town for a day or two, waiting for the next appointment.
  • Have access to a GP after hours ; CareHQ offers international tourists appointments from 7 am to 7 pm, 7 days a week, unlike standard New Zealand clinics that are usually open from 8 am to 5 pm, 5 days a week.
  • See a New Zealand doctor ; your doctor from home won’t be much use while you’re in New Zealand. You have a highly qualified GP at your fingertips who can prescribe you medication and have it sent to your nearest pharmacy, if they feel it is safe and appropriate to do so. Where you require in-person care, your CareHQ GP can recommend the next steps in your care plan, including referrals to other doctors, and investigations.
  • Claim the cost with your travel insurance ; if you choose to take premium travel insurance , the cost of consultations with CareHQ may be covered. If you require further care such as collecting a prescription, blood tests, or seeing a specialist, additional charges when using these services may apply.

The Easy Way to See a Doctor for Tourists Travelling in New Zealand

What is CareHQ?

CareHQ is a New Zealand online clinic that offers remote GP consultations through its phone app or website. All consultations are with New Zealand-registered GPs who are all highly trained in giving consultations remotely. They are available to international visitors from 7 am to 7 pm, 7 days a week.

During your online consultation, the GP will recommend any treatments or tests you may need. As for prescriptions, they can be emailed to your preferred pharmacy.

CareHQ may not be right for complex health issues or issues that require an in-person examination. If you have a medical emergency such as severe pain, chest pain, collapse, severe bleeding, or shortness of breath, call 111 immediately. When prescribing medications, your CareHQ GP will assess whether your medicines are safe to prescribe via telemedicine. For medications that require close monitoring or that carry risks of sedation (such as sleeping tablets or strong pain relief), you may be asked to seek review via in-person care and/or receive a shorter bridging script, to manage this risk and keep you safe.

The Easy Way to See a Doctor for Tourists Travelling in New Zealand

How Does CareHQ Work?

As we said, CareHQ is the easy way to see a doctor for tourists travelling in New Zealand. You can be speaking to a qualified New Zealand doctor in a few easy steps.

Step 1 – Open the CareHQ Website or App

Whether you prefer to use your phone, laptop or tablet, CareHQ can be used anywhere. Head to the CareHQ website and click ‘Book Now’ to book online, or if it is available in your app store download the CareHQ app through App Store or Google Play . Get advice on how to get a stable internet connection in How to Get Internet and WiFi in New Zealand .

Step 2 – Book an International Visitor Appointment

Once you’ve registered, book an appointment by selecting the “International visitor” option. You will need to provide a copy of your passport or visa as a PDF or Jpeg to confirm your identity.

You can choose to see the next available GP or make a booking for a later time and date. You’ll then be required to input your pre-payment details. CareHQ will send you the details of your appointment once confirmed.

Step 3 – Begin the Consultation

When the GP is ready, you’ll receive a link either by text or email. Simply tap or click the link to start your video consultation.

Once the consultation is over, you’ll be charged and sent a receipt via email. That way, you are easily able to claim the cost through your travel insurance if applicable.

The Easy Way to See a Doctor for Tourists Travelling in New Zealand

Tips for Using CareHQ as a Tourist in New Zealand

As a tourist travelling in New Zealand, there are a few ways you can make your doctor’s consultation even easier with CareHQ. Here are some tips:

Before Your GP Consultation

  • Have a copy of your passport or visa as a PDF or Jpeg so you can upload it during the booking process
  • Be prepared with a New Zealand physical (street) address , which is a legal requirement for GPs to provide a medical prescription or specialist referral – you can use the address of the accommodation you are staying at
  • Look up the nearest or most convenient pharmacy to pick up a prescription and make a note of it, just in case you are prescribed some medication
  • Have your payment card ready – you’ll need to pay for the consultation at the time you book it. Make sure you check out CareHQ’s cancellation policy too
  • When booking, please remember that CareHQ is not an emergency service. If you have a medical emergency such as severe pain, chest pain, collapse, severe bleeding, or shortness of breath, call 111 immediately
  • For more information about the Terms and Conditions , see the CareHQ website .

During Your GP Consultation

  • Make sure you have a good internet connection and keep it stable by staying in one place for the duration of the consultation
  • Find a private and quiet space to have your consultation; perhaps your hotel room or your rental vehicle
  • It might be helpful to have a note of and/or your usual prescription medication on hand.

After Your GP Consultation

  • Keep the receipt of your consultation , as you may be able to claim the cost through your travel insurance

The Easy Way to See a Doctor for Tourists Travelling in New Zealand

Book to See a Doctor in New Zealand

Ready to go? Even if you’re not in New Zealand just yet, it is handy to have the CareHQ app downloaded and ready to use if needed (you can always delete it when you get home). Where you aren’t able to download the app, simply visit the website and click “Book Now” to arrange your consult entirely online.

The CareHQ app is available at the following links:

  • CareHQ on the App Store
  • CareHQ on Google Play
  • CareHQ at carehq.co.nz  – just click “ Book Now “

For other useful apps to have on hand while travelling the country, check out the   15 Best Travel Apps for New Zealand .

More About How to See a Doctor as a Tourist Travelling in New Zealand

That’s it for our advice on the easy way to see a doctor as a tourist travelling in New Zealand. If you still want to wise up on how healthcare works in the “Land of the Long White Cloud”, take a look at the following guides:

  • A Traveller’s Guide to Healthcare in New Zealand
  • How to Pay for Healthcare Services in New Zealand
  • Travel Health Tips for New Zealand: Vaccinations, Medication & More

Finally, if there’s anything we’ve missed, you’re likely to find it in the  31 Tips for Travelling in New Zealand and   The Best Travel Guide to New Zealand .

The information in this guide has been compiled from our extensive research, travel and experiences across New Zealand and the South Pacific, accumulated over more than a decade of numerous visits to each destination. Additional sources for this guide include the following:

  • Tourism New Zealand (General travel advice - Updated [2024])
  • Immigration New Zealand (Visa and immigration advice - Updated [2024])
  • New Zealand Customs Service (Customs and Biosecurity - Updated [2024])
  • New Zealand Traveller Declaration (NZTD online platform - Updated [2024])
  • Tiaki Promise (Care for people place and culture - Updated [2024])
  • Safe Travel (NZ travel advisories - Updated [2024])
  • Stats NZ (Statistics and travel data - Updated [2024])
  • Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency (Road and transport tips - Updated [2024])
  • DriveSafe (Road safety - Updated [2024])
  • Council websites and freedom camping maps (Local travel advice region by region - Updated [2024])
  • AdventureSmart (Know before you go - Update [2024])

Our editorial standards : At NZ Pocket Guide, we uphold strict editorial standards to ensure accurate and quality content.

doctor visit cost new zealand

About The Author

This article has been reviewed and published by Laura, the editor-in-chief and co-founder of NZ Pocket Guide. Laura is a first-class honours journalism graduate and a travel journalist with expertise in New Zealand and South Pacific tourism for over 10 years. She also runs travel guides for five of the top destinations in the South Pacific and is the co-host of over 250 episodes of the NZ Travel Show on YouTube.

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doctor visit cost new zealand

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Cheaper GP visits for 600,000 Kiwis begin tomorrow

Prime minister Jacinda Ardern says making the cost of visiting the doctor much cheaper for almost 600,000 Kiwis will mean more people will be able to get the care they need, when they need it.

From tomorrow up to 540,000 Community Services Card holders will see the cost of visiting the doctor fall by an average of $20-30. That includes about 80,000 people who will be newly eligible for a Community Service Card because they receive an Accommodation Supplement or an income-related rent subsidy. The Ministry of Social Development started sending these cards to people this month.

On top of that 56,000 13 year olds will become eligible for free primary care. Free and cheaper doctors visits were announced in Budget 2018,

“In a country like New Zealand cost should not put people off going to see the doctor when they’re sick. I’m proud that, from tomorrow, the Government has made cost much less of a barrier to hundreds of thousands of Kiwis,” Jacinda Ardern said.

“The Coalition Government has set out improve the wellbeing of all New Zealanders and we’re committed to making our country the best place in the world to be a child.  Extending free doctors’ visits to every child under 14, is a big step towards that goal,” Jacinda Ardern said.

Health Minister David Clark today joined the Prime Minister at the Island Bay Medical Centre in Wellington to mark tomorrow’s milestone. The centre has 1200 CSC holders on its books who will now pay less than $20 per visit.

“Last year more than half a million people didn’t go to their GP because of the cost – that’s a shocking number. We’re tackling that directly by reducing fees for those most in financial need,” David Clark said.

“Not only will cheaper doctors visits mean more people will be able to afford to get the care they need, that will mean many health issues can be identified and treated early before they become major problems requiring hospital treatment.

“So far more than 80 percent of general practices have signed up to deliver cheaper visits for their patients. I want to thank the primary health sector for their hard work preparing for the rollout of this policy, which will make it easier to access their valuable services over time,” David Clark said.

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></center></p><h2>New Zealand Healthcare System: Everything You Should Know</h2><p><center><img style=

  • October 21, 2021
  • Healthcare , New Zealand , The Finder

People living New Zealand enjoy the benefits of the comprehensive and heavily government-subsidised New Zealand healthcare system. It is all part of the Kiwi’s way of giving its people an equal footing in life. Public healthcare is free (or in some cases, very low cost) if you’re a citizen, resident or hold a valid working visa for two years or more. You also hold the option of taking medical insurance of private healthcare, but many citizens and residents choose not to because it’s public healthcare is that comprehensive.

Table of Contents

Public healthcare in New Zealand

Thanks to the passing of the 1938 Social Security Act, New Zealand was thought visionary for its time. It act laid out the principles for universal and free financial healthcare, which was, most importantly, barrier-free. The healthcare system mandates that all citizens have equal access to equal treatment standards from an integrated system.

If you aren’t a citizen or resident, you may still use the healthcare services but at a cost. It’s highly advisable to obtain medical insurance from your home country before you travel to New Zealand.

But rest assured, there is one other way non-citizens and/or resident may be treated under the public health system. New Zealand has an agreement with many Commonwealth countries, including the UK and Australia. This means, as a British or Australian national, you’ll get to enjoy all the benefits of New Zealand’s public healthcare system. While this is so, the included healthcare services are limited. This agreement only cover the costs of basic emergency care. The non-urgent healthcare services that include wellness physicals with a GP are not included. 

What services does the New Zealand healthcare system cover?

Under New Zealand’s healthcare system , individuals are entitled to:

  • Free GP visits for children under the age of 14 
  • Free dental treatments for children under the age of 18 
  • Free maternity services 
  • Heavily subsidised pharmaceuticals. Most will pay a maximum of $15 per prescribed item. Most drugs are free after 20 scripts a year. Individuals can also get a three-month supply (at any time) of all ongoing medications needed for common conditions such as hypertension and more.
  • Free access to nursing home. Home support is also given so that the elderly may remain in their homes for as long as possible.
  • Free HIV care and medication
  • Free emergency services and intensive care 
  • Free surgery if an individual’s diagnosis is immediately life-threatening or needs immediate attention
  • Free *elective surgery for non-acute conditions are also available, but is severely rationed.

*Elective surgery is known as medical procedure that require a waiting time of more than seven days before it is scheduled. The average waiting time for elective surgery in the Public Health Sector is about 300 days if you are fortunate to get past the waiting list. 

Paying for healthcare in New Zealand

New Zealand spends around 9.2 percent of its GDP on healthcare according to The World Bank . The system works as a single-payer healthcare system. It means that the government pays for the major of healthcare costs using tax money from the public. 

Based on the service required, the healthcare system is either free or heavily subsidised for the patient. Free medical services include standard diagnostic tests, prescription medication and immunisations for children below six years old. Furthermore, the government covers specialist and hospital care if a general practitioner (GP) refers a patient. 

A common criticism of New Zealand’s healthcare system is that it incurs comparatively high patient frees to see a GP. At over $55, this is a higher co-pay compared to other countries having similar systems. Thus, creating a huge barrier to access for lower income families.

With that in mind, lower income families may qualify for a Community Services Card (CSC). This reduces the cost of after-hour doctor visits and the prescription medication costs among the rest. Based on the number of dependents in their household, those who earn less than a certain figure may qualify for CSC. It reduces the cost of all after-hours doctor visits and prescription fees and the cost of a visit to any person’s regular doctor. 

Cost of healthcare services for non-residents and citizens:

Eligible individuals under New Zealand’s public healthcare system are entitled to the following:

  • Subsidised primary healthcare services, e.g., doctor visits 
  • Subsidised prescribed medication 
  • Free public hospital services 
  • Support services if you have disabilities 

If you aren’t eligible for government-funded health care, foreigners may still use these services but at a cost.

Expats would have to pay for most dental services, too. If you need urgent dental treatment because of an injury or accident, the Accident Compensation Corporation (ACC, see below) will help with these costs.

Doctors’ practices set their own fees. You can check consultation charges of different practices beforehand at your local district health board’s website. 

Many practices give free doctor visits for kids under 14 years of age (if eligible). Some practices offer cheaper visits to people that meet certain conditions, such as the Community Services Cardholders. 

Overall, newcomers to New Zealand need not worry too much about healthcare cost in New Zealand if they already have existing private healthcare. Accident treatments are fully covered (see more below) to ensure visitors and new residents have a peace of mind. 

Healthcare options for foreigners

Everyone in New Zealand, including tourists, visitors and expats are entitled to free medical care for accidental injuries. This is known as the Accident Compensation Corporation (ACC) programme that was established in 1974. If you do happen to get into an accident and hurt yourself, you are are entitled to free treatment.

This includes everything from hiking mishaps to automobile accidents. When you visit a doctor or hospital, you will be asked to fill in a form so that the ACC programme will cover the entire cost of your care. The ACC is funded through a combination of government resources and levies placed over license registration, fuel, business taxes and more. 

Private healthcare in New Zealand

In general, private healthcare is not a necessity in New Zealand because it’s public healthcare system is enough for most residents. In any case, private healthcare is used to complement the public system by providing individuals access to quicker, more specialised treatment for non-emergency conditions.

Private medical insurance for global citizens

New Zealand is considered the safest country in the whole world. In fact, as per the 2019 Global Peace Index , it is second only to Iceland. With a strong economy and low living costs – New Zealand is a desirable place to live and work for global citizens. For those intending to move here, rest assured that New Zealand is an extremely welcoming place.

However, newcomers moving into New Zealand won’t be eligible for public healthcare until they are granted residency status. With this in mind, it is strongly advised that all prospective expats posses a comprehensive international private healthcare insurance before making the move.  

Private clinics and pharmacies available:

Both private and public healthcare in New Zealand are excellent and easily accessible. Most locals rely on state-subsidised public healthcare. Private healthcare complements the public system by giving access to specialised and speedier treatment for non-emergency care. 

Although the quality of healthcare isn’t necessarily higher in all private hospitals, expats with private healthcare may expect greater access to all specialised services. Private healthcare allows patients to have greater control over which doctor or specialist they want to be treated by, as well as where and when the treatment will occur. 

Below is a list of all of the private clinics and pharmacies available:

  • Mercy Ascot Hospitals : One New Zealand’s largest private surgical facilities, with 22 operating theatres, a high dependency unit and an intensive care unit.
  • Southern Cross Auckland Surgical Centre : New Zealand’s first purpose-built short stay surgical hospital providing orthopaedic surgery, plastic surgery, general and paediatric surgery, ENT specialists, oral and maxillofacial surgery and dermatological surgery.
  • Southern Cross Brightside Hospital : The hospital is best known for its gynaecological, orthopaedics and urological care. Brightside was the first hospital in New Zealand to offer brachytherapy, a new type of treatment suitable for some people with prostate cancer.
  • Southern Cross Gillies Hospital : Gillies Hospital is dedicated to providing excellence in Otolaryngology (Ear, Nose and Throat) and Head and Neck surgery.
  • Onehunga Medical Practice : This clinic provides comprehensive services like minor surgeries, immunisations, cervical cancer screening, ECG, spirometry, children health checks, minor accident treatments and more.
  • Lifeline Medical Centre : This clinic provides comprehensive services like minor surgeries, immunisations, cervical cancer screening, ECG, spirometry, children health checks, minor accident treatments and more. It also provides the Covid-19 vaccine, presently.
  • Cannabis Clinic : A clinic specialising in the use of medicinal cannabis to achieve better health and wellness.
  • Tamaki Family Health Centre : Apart from standard services provided by most private clinics, Tamaki also offers contraceptive services like Intrauterine Contraceptive Device (IUCD) and vasectomy. Telehealth consultation is also available.
  • Mt Roskill Healthcare (Sandringham Health Centre) : This general practice aims to provide quality healthcare for all patients, with an emphasis on health education and preventative medicine. It also caters to many nationalities with a team of doctor fluent in English, Gujarati, Hindi, Marathi, Punjabi, Tamil, Telugu, Urdu, Kannada and Chinese.
  • Worldwise Travellers Health Centre Newmarket : This clinic provides valuable travel health advice and vaccinations to travellers heading overseas. 

Pro and cons of New Zealand’s healthcare system

While residents enjoy the high-quality public medical care in New Zealand, the waiting time can be a hassle especially for non-immediate or life-threatening conditions. This is why having private healthcare insurance may come in handy. Most areas of New Zealand are very sparsely populated and a majority of healthcare providers are based in urban sides of the cities. Waiting times in rural areas are longer than in cities. Having private insurance opens up more options to all available practitioners, ensuring you are treated on time. 

All permanent residents in New Zealand are eligible for public health insurance. But you have to do have been living in New Zealand for at least two years to qualify. You will also have to pass some of the rigorous tests before acceptance. 

It’s no secret that New Zealand takes care not only of its own, but others as well. If you’re intending to move there, do note that if you do want to stay long, you will enjoy the benefits of its public healthcare system in due time. All permanent residents living in New Zealand for more than two years are eligible for public healthcare.  

Feeling ready to make the big move?

Head over  here  to begin your journey Or start ticking off your relocation checklist  here

Still unsure?

Learn more about New Zealand here Explore more destinations  here  

doctor visit cost new zealand

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Healthcare services

Finding a doctor (gp).

There are around 5,500 general practitioners (GPs) located in almost every city, town and suburb. Most work in groups called a practice, operating from a medical centre.

You need to enrol yourself and your family with a general practice in order to get cheaper, subsidised charges when you see a GP. It is free to enrol. If you do not enrol, you will pay a lot more to see a GP.

Remember to check the fees the practice charges before you enrol. You can also request a male or female GP when you enrol. You will be able to take someone with you when you visit them.

How to find and enrol with a GP

To find a GP:

•    Search for your local GP on Healthpoint . It will tell you if the GP is accepting enrolments.   •    look in the White Pages telephone directory. Search online for GPs in your region or look in the front pages of your local hard-copy under ‘Registered Medical Practitioners and Medical Centres'.

Not all GPs in a practice will be taking new patients, so you may need to look around. Practices usually give priority to people who live or work in their local area. You can take someone with you for support when you visit your GP.

To find out more about enrolling with a practice and finding a GP, visit the Ministry of Health website. It has advice on how to choose a GP and information on fees. 

Medical records

Get a copy of your medical records from your home country so you can give them to your New Zealand GP.

In an emergency

If you need emergency medical help, call 111.

(Calls to 111 are free. You can call this number on a mobile phone even if the phone is out of credit.)

You can also visit the emergency department of your nearest hospital's emergency department. They can assess and treat patients who have serious injuries or illnesses.

Not an emergency

If it is not a medical emergency, you should arrange to see a family doctor, known here as a general practitioner (GP). 

A GP is a fully trained medical doctor who can give you medical advice and refer you for further tests or specialist treatment if needed. Treatment may be either in the public healthcare system (which is subsidised or free) or through private providers (user pays).

Finding a GP is one of the first things you should do once you have decided where you are going to live in New Zealand.

Depending on what your healthcare need is, your GP’s office may suggest they make an appointment for with their primary nurse.

Getting medication

If you need medication, you can get it from a pharmacy, also known in New Zealand as a chemist shop. Every city and major town has at least one.

Chemists can sell you 'over the counter' drugs, like painkillers and some medicines for colds and flu. For other medicines, you need to get a prescription from a GP first.

Free advice

If you do not have a family GP, or you are not sure if you should see one, you can phone Healthline. Healthline is a free telephone health advice service that lets you talk to a registered nurse to:

•    find out if you should see a GP •    get general health advice •    find the nearest GP or chemist.

You can call Healthline on 0800 611 116, any day, any time (24/7). If you need language support, ask for an interpreter.

For more information about health care for yourself or your family (or ‘whanau’) visit the Ministry of Health website.

Healthline | Ministry of Health

Our health system

You can find full information on the New Zealand healthcare system on the Your Local Doctor website below. It includes factsheets in many languages and a video presented in English, Hindi and Mandarin.

The Health Navigator website has reliable and trustworthy New Zealand health information and self-care resources. 

NZ Health and Disability System videos | Your Local Doctor

The New Zealand health system | Your Local Doctor

Health Navigator NZ

Help with healthcare costs

If you are eligible, you can get free or subsidised health, maternity and disability services in New Zealand. Check if there are going to be charges when you make an appointment.

Paying for healthcare services

Getting help after hours.

Most GPs are open Monday to Friday from 9am to 5pm. If you have to see a doctor suddenly any other time, you can use the after-hours service. If you phone your GP, you should hear a phone message telling you where to go.

You may need to go to a different practice or an 'after-hours clinic'. Remember, if you are not enrolled with them you will pay a higher, unsubsidised price.

Cities and most larger towns also have after hours pharmacies.

If you have questions or you do not know what to do or who to see, call Healthline on 0800 611 116.

Enrolling with your local doctor

GPs and accident & emergency medical care | Healthpoint

Visiting a doctor or nurse | Ministry of Health

Emergencies

In a medical emergency needing urgent attention, call for an ambulance. In New Zealand the number to dial is  111 .

111 calls are free. You can call this number on a mobile phone even if the phone is out of credit.

If the situation needs an ambulance, there may be a charge. See the St Johns Ambulance website for more information.

However, in the Wellington area, Wellington Free Ambulance services are free.

When to go to the hospital emergency department

If it is urgent, but you or the person does not need immediate medical attention, you can go to the 24 hour emergency department at your local hospital (sometimes called Accident and Emergency or A&E). 

When to visit an emergency department | Ministry of Health

Examples of emergencies | New Zealand Police

Ambulance charges | St Johns Ambulance

Types of healthcare services available in New Zealand

Help if you have an accident

Most costs of injuries from accidents are covered by our Accident Compensation Corporation (ACC) scheme. This covers everyone in New Zealand, including non-residents and visitors.

If you are injured in an accident, your GP or health provider will help you make a claim for ACC cover.

New Zealand has around 40 public hospitals spread across the country in cities and larger towns. They provide care for emergencies, serious health problems, accidents and illnesses. Their services include emergency departments and medical, surgical and maternity services. You can search for public hospitals on the Ministry of Health website.

Most hospital treatment is free for those eligible for healthcare services. There are some exceptions, like some kinds of cosmetic surgery.

Nobody can be refused emergency care if they are unable to pay. But if you are not a New Zealand resident, you may have to pay for some services.

Waiting times for surgery vary from hospital to hospital. If your case is urgent, you will be put on an urgent waiting list.

As well as the public hospitals, there are many private hospitals around New Zealand that you can access if you have healthcare insurance.

Find a public hospital in your area | Ministry of Health

Check if you need medical insurance

If you are not eligible for healthcare services, we strongly recommend you take out a travel medical insurance policy.

Dental care

Children get free basic care for their teeth until they are 18 under the Talk Teeth programme. Basic dental care through school dental clinics is free while children are at school. 

Otherwise, dentists are not part of the free public healthcare system. The Ministry of Health has information about dental care for families in New Zealand.

Dental care is provided by oral health care practitioners, such as dentists and dental hygienists, in private practices. Fees can vary widely, so remember to ask about them when you are looking for a dentist.

Find a dentist in your area | Dental Council

Your child's dental care | Ministry of Health

Medical specialists

If you need to see a medical specialist, you need a referral from your GP first.

Specialists work in both the public and private healthcare systems. You can only choose a particular specialist if you go through New Zealand’s private healthcare system.

The privately-operated website Healthpoint has useful information about specialist medical care in New Zealand, the treatments they offer and what you need to get referred.

Healthpoint lists private hospitals and specialists by region and specialty.

Private hospitals and specialists | Healthpoint

Maternity services

Services for pregnant women (maternity services) are arranged and coordinated by a Lead Maternity Carer (LMC) - usually a midwife.

The Ministry of Health and HealthEd have information about:

  • whether you will be eligible for free maternity care
  • how LMCs work with you
  • where to find maternity services
  • what screening programmes are available.

Service and support during pregnancy | Ministry of Health

Your pregnancy | HealthEd

Child health

From birth to 5 years, all children in New Zealand qualify for a free health service called Well Child Tamariki Ora. It gives children a range of health checks and provides support and advice for new parents. Your Lead Maternity Carer (usually your midwife) will get you started on this programme if you are a new parent, or you can go to the website.

One of the providers of the Well Child service is the Plunket Society. Plunket provides a wide range of free support services for children under 5 years and their parents. Its services include home and clinic visits, mobile clinics and PlunketLine.

PlunketLine

Parents can call PlunketLine for free telephone advice. Phone 0800 933 922.

All children under 14 years can get some free medical care. This includes:

  • immunisations against serious disease
  • regular eyesight and hearing checks at school
  • visits to the doctor. Not all GPs may provide free visits, so check with your GP first.

If your child is 15 years or under and has eyesight problems, you may be able to get a spectacle subsidy for eye examinations and glasses. 

Well Child Tamiriki Ora service | Ministry of Health

You and your child | Plunket

Zero fees for under 14s | Ministry of Health

Chlidren's spectacle subsidy | Ministry of Health

Elder care

New Zealand offers a wide range of services to help the elderly in New Zealand. Services include home care, financial support, social support, rest homes and retirement villages.

For full details, call Seniorline 0800 725 463 or visit their website.

Support for older people | Seniorline

doctor visit cost new zealand

Mental health services

Mental health services are provided in each region. Generally, you need to start with your GP to get a referral but there are also emergency services.

There are several phone services that you can contact directly for help with mental health issues. The main number to call is 1737.  Details of other helplines are on the Mental Health Foundation website.

The Ministry of Health website has more information on what to do in a mental health emergency and support services that are available.

Mental health services | Ministry of Health

Mental health helplines | Mental Health Foundation

Wellness programmes

The Ministry of Health has programmes that help prevent illness. They range from help with addictions like gambling, alcohol or smoking, to immunisation programmes and advice about keeping active.

Some organisations, like Asian Family Services, provide multilingual wellness support to migrants.

Healthy living | Ministry of Health

Gambling support | Asian Family Services

Help to stop smoking

Quitline is a service funded by the Ministry of Health to help people stop smoking. it offers a support phone line and online and text support. If you are eligible for free healthcare services, you can also access free nicotine replacement products through your GP.

Complementary and alternative health services

New Zealand has a range of alternative health practitioners. The term ‘complementary and alternative medicine’ is used for medical products or services that are not part of standard medical care, for example acupuncture.

These services are not subsidised by the government. But the costs of acupuncture and osteopathy for injuries caused by an accident are covered by ACC. For more information about ACC, see our ‘Paying for healthcare services’ page.

Alternative health therapies | Te Ara Encyclopaedia of NZ

Complementary and alternative medicine | Health Navigator

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The user-friendly interface is designed to assist health sector stakeholders and researchers, the media, and the public with valuable information . Users can explore key data and trends over time about registered doctors. 

List of our fees effective from 1 July 2023

The Medical Council is committed to operating in a cost effective manner. All fees and disciplinary levies are calculated on a full cost recovery basis. The Council receives no government funding. All fees are expressed in $NZ and include GST of 15%

Setting of fees

All fees and disciplinary levy are set by the Medical Council under  sections 130 and 131  of the Health Practitioners Competence Assurance Act 2003 (the Act).

The Council abides by the Office of the Auditor-General’s good practice guidelines, “Charging fees for public sector goods and services”, as well as Treasury guidelines, when setting fees and levies. 

All fees are set under the principles of full cost recovery and "user pays" to ensure no cross subsidisation occurs.

2023 gs2086 - Fees Payable to Te Kaunihera Rata o Aotearoa Medical Council of New Zealand from 1 July 2023

22 May 2023 ( PDF , 60 KB)

This gazette notice lists the fees payable from 1 July 2023

2024 sl1900 - Fees Payable to Te Kaunihera Rata o Aotearoa Medical Council of New Zealand from 1 July 2024

29 April 2024 ( PDF , 80 KB)

This gazette notice lists the fees payable from 1 July 2024

Practising Certificate (PC) or Interim PC including Disciplinary Levy:

Disciplinary levy, registration in provisional general/general scope of practice:, registration in a provisional vocational / vocational scope of practice:, college advice fees for registration in a provisional vocational scope of practice, registration in a special purpose scope of practice, other registration related fees:, certificate signed by the registrar:, new zealand registration examination (nzrex clinical):, screening programmes:, sexual misconduct assessment:, contribution to educational supervision costs:, education – pre-vocational:, education - vocational, vocational scope of practice/recertification:.

Notes:  Fees are not refundable

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Jo Jo is offline

I have been trying to find out some information about healthcare costs today, and while doing so I realised how hard it is to find this information if you're not familiar with the terminology used in the health service here. So I thought it would be useful to pull together some info about the cost of GP visits for those of you who are about to come to NZ or have recently arrived. (Or those, like me, who have been here for a while but haven't really got to grips with how the healthcare system works. ) First of all, the fees charged for visiting a GP are not standard because general practices are privately owned, and set their own fees, so when choosing a GP it is worth shopping around if you can, as some practices will be cheaper than others. It is also worth checking whether or not a practice belongs to your District Health Board’s Primary Healthcare Organisation (PHO). GPs who belong to a PHO get funding from the government to subsidise the cost of GP visits and prescriptions, and if you enrol with the PHO then you will pay less for GP visits and prescriptions. At the medical centre I belong to the fees for a standard GP consultation are as follows: Enrolled patients: Children aged 0 – 5: free Children aged 6 – 17: $10 18 – 24 years: $30 25+: $35 Prescription medicines: $3 Non-enrolled patients: NZ residents: $60 Non-residents: $80 Prescription medicines: $15 So you can see that there is a big difference in the charges for people who are enrolled in the PHO and people that aren’t. Information about eligibility can be found here , and how to enrol can be found here . Most of the District Health Boards publish a list of the fees charged for GP visits by each practice that belongs to its PHOs, and I’ve listed the links to the fees below. I hadn't realised quite how long this list was going to be when I started doing this! If you find any mistakes, please let me know, and I'll correct the info. (If you are not sure which District Health Board covers the area you live in, or are planning to live in, then check out the maps here .) Auckland DHB Bay of Plenty DHB Canterbury DHB Canterbury Community PHO (covers Piki Te Ora and Te Kakukura Health Centres) Christchurch PHO (covers University of Canterbury Health Centre, Riccarton Clinic, Moorhouse Medical Centre, Casebrook Surgery and Burnside Medical Centre) Hurunui Kaikoura PHO (covers Amberley, Hurunui, Amuri, Hanmer, Cheviot and Kaikoura) Partnership Health PHO (covers Christchurch and Selwyn) Rural Canterbury PHO (covers Ashburton, Waimak, Akaroa and Diamond Harbour) Capital & Coast DHB (Wellington) Counties Manukau DHB East health Trust Mangere Community Health Trust (no fees published, but has list of health centres) North Waikato PHO – no website Peoples Healthcare Trust ProCare Network Manukau (no fees published) Tamaki Healthcare Charitable Trust TaPasefika Health Trust Te Kupenga O Hoturoa Charitable Trust – no website Total Healthcare Otara Hawke's Bay DHB Hawkes Bay PHO (click on “our practices” then the region, then the individual health centre to find the fees) Wairoa PHO (fees listed under each practice in menu on right hand side) Hutt Valley DHB Piki te Ora PHO MidValley PHO Valley PHO Tamaiti Whangai PHO Ropata Community PHO FamilyCare PHO Lakes DHB (Rotorua) (list of GPs, but no list of fees). MidCentral DHB Manawatu PHO Horowhenua PHO Tararua PHO Otaki PHO Nelson Marlborough DHB Nelson Bays Primary Health - Nelson Tasman region Kimi Hauora Wairau - Marlborough region Northland DHB Te Tai Tokerau PHO Whangaroa Health Services Trust – website currently under construction Hokianga Health Trust Tihewa Mauriora PHO Kaipara Care Incorporated Manaia PHO Otago DHB Mornington Health Centre Well Dunedin PHO Rural Otago PHO Otago Southern Region PHO Taieri and Strath Taieri PHO South Canterbury DHB (click on your area under “find a practice”, then click on the practice name for fee info.) Southland DHB Wakatipu PHO (covering Queenstown and Frankton). Invercargill PHO (covering Invercargill City and Bluff). Takitimu PHO (covering Western Southland including Winton, Riverton, Tuatapere, Te Anau and Otautau). Hokonui PHO (covering Eastern Southland including Gore, Mataura and Lumsden). Tairawhiti DHB (Gisborne) Ngati Porou Haoura PHO (click on links under “medical clinics”) Turanganui PHO Taranaki DHB Hauora Taranaki PHO Peak Health Taranaki PHO Te Tihi Hauora o Taranaki PHO Waikato DHB Wairarapa DHB Waitemata DHB West Coast DHB (no info on fees) Whanganui DHB

JandM's Avatar

Thanks for pulling this together.

Mamee & Co's Avatar

Thank you. This is very helpful.

sophiedb's Avatar

Wonderful - thank you!
If you are not sure which District Health Board covers the area you live in, or are planning to live in, then check out the maps here .

Kewlest is offline

Good to know!

norma is offline

Originally Posted by Jo Jo At the medical centre I belong to the fees for a standard GP consultation are as follows: Enrolled patients: Children aged 0 – 5: free Children aged 6 – 17: $10 18 – 24 years: $30 25+: $35 Prescription medicines: $3 Just to show you how much fees can vary, my medical centre in Devonport is also registered with the PHO and charges as follows: Enrolled patients: Children aged 0 – 5: $18 Children aged 6 – 17: $43 18 – 24 years: $44 25+: $47

lin's Avatar

Great post JoJo. Originally Posted by Jo Jo It is also worth checking whether or not a practice belongs to your District Health Board’s Primary Healthcare Organisation (PHO). GPs who belong to a PHO get funding from the government to subsidise the cost of GP visits and prescriptions, and if you enrol with the PHO then you will pay less for GP visits and prescriptions. I just thought I'd highlight that there may be a 'lag time' before you are eligible for the subsidised GP fees - I registered with a GP 3 weeks ago & was advised that I won't be eligible for the subsidised fees until April so it may be worth registering with a GP sooner rather than later!
Last edited by lin; 28th January 2010 at 10:51 PM . Reason: formatting issue
Originally Posted by lin I just thought I'd highlight that there may be a 'lag time' before you are eligible for the subsidised GP fees - I registered with a GP 3 weeks ago & was advised that I won't be eligible for the subsidised fees until April so it may be worth registering with a GP sooner rather than later! Good point. Enrolment intakes are done quarterly, and when you enrol, the GPs don't get the funding for you until the beginning of the next quarter. Some medical centres will charge the full rate until the funding comes through, but others (like mine, which I now realise is really quite good value!) will charge you the subsidised rate or the subsidised rate plus a slight surcharge as soon as you enrol.

Silverwing86's Avatar

(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); Didn't get the chance to mention it earlier today as I had to rush off, but I think this is an excellent and very helpful post Jo Jo , thanx ! Cheers, Silver

doctor visit cost new zealand

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doctor visit cost new zealand

King Charles to scale back tour of Australia on doctor's orders

King Charles is set to scale back his tour of Australia and cancel his trip to New Zealand all together over health concerns as he continues his  cancer recovery. 

He had planned to tour Australia and Samoa with Queen Camilla , before continuing on the New Zealand however concerns have been raised that the Monarch is doing 'too much'. 

In January the 76-year-old was admitted to hospital to undergo 'routine treatment' for an enlarged prostate. However, doctors soon discovered an unspecified form of cancer after tests in February, he has been undergoing chemotherapy since then. 

A source told the Mirror: 'Naturally, it will be a bitter disappointment on both sides to not have the opportunity for the King and Queen to visit New Zealand, but of course all are aware of the King's ongoing health and the need for him to pace himself. 

'It's very much hoped there will be further opportunities in the future.' 

The Mirror reported that the Australia leg of the tour will be scaled back to around six days, with a break lasting up to two days before the King and Queen travel to Samoa for three days.

While the trip around New Zealand is likely to be axed all together.  

The visit by the King and Queen would be the first trip to Australia by a reigning monarch since 2011. 

The last such visit was when Queen Elizabeth II travelled to Canberra, Brisbane , Melbourne and Perth for the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting.

King Charles has already made 15 visits to Australia, his last being in 2018 to open the Commonwealth Games on the Gold Coast and to visit parts of Queensland and the Northern Territory.

The King has previously travelled to every state and territory, and it's expected all jurisdictions will make requests for the monarch to visit them.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said plans were already under way on possible logistics for the visit.

'The King has shown his compassion for Australians affected by recent natural disasters, just as Australians have shown compassion and support for the King following his cancer diagnosis,' he said.

'The King, Queen and members of the Royal Family are always welcome in Australia.'

Deputy Prime Minister Richard Marles said the King had a long connection with Australia, extending from his time attending Geelong Grammar.

'There is an affection for King Charles, I know King Charles has a deep affection for Australia,' he told ABC TV on Monday.

'A royal visit by King Charles and Queen Camilla later in the year would be a really, really tremendous and popular event and I do think that Australians would very much welcome seeing King Charles in our country.'

Sources in the country say state and territory leaders have been asked to deliver bids to host the royals aligned with two main themes, Charles’s first visit to Australia as King and his deep interest in climate and sustainability. 

King Charles to scale back tour of Australia on doctor's orders

Free health checks for children under 14

Your child’s health will be checked regularly while they grow.

Doctor’s visits for children under 14

Children under 14 can get:

  • free visits to the doctor they’re enrolled with — nearly every GP offers free visits, but it’s wise to check first
  • free prescriptions — there’s no charge for standard prescriptions, although you may have to pay for some medicines or extra services
  • free after-hours care for urgent medical needs — ask your own GP or local pharmacist where to go for this service.

Visiting a doctor

Dental care under 18

Children get basic free dental treatment until they turn 18.

Dental care if you’re under 18

Health checks for under 5s

Well Child/Tamariki Ora is a free service for all children under 5. You’ll get:

free health checks from a nurse or registered health practitioner

information on protecting and improving your child’s health and development

a book to track your child’s progress and health record.

Well Child/Tamariki Ora services are provided by agencies like Plunket. Your lead maternity carer can help you choose a Well Child provider in your area.

Well Child/Tamariki Ora

Plunket can help with:

  • breastfeeding
  • development

Plunket visits

All families are offered newborn metabolic screening for their baby. This tests for rare but life threatening disorders when a baby’s between 48 and 72 hours old.

Newborn metabolic screening programme

All families are offered hearing screening for their baby by the time they’re a month old.

Universal newborn hearing screening programme  

B4 School Check is a free health check for 4-year-olds, to check they’re ready for school. They’ll be checked for any concerns with:

  • social development
  • communication
  • sight and hearing.

B4 School Check

Who to contact for more help

If you need more help or have questions about the information or services on this page, contact the following agency.

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Date printed 22 June 2024

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  2. How Much Do Doctors Get Paid in New Zealand: A Guide to Sala

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  3. New Zealand adults who did not visit a medical specialist due to cost

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  4. The High Cost Of Physician Billing

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  5. Moving to New Zealand

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  6. How Much Does a Doctor Visit Cost? Exploring Factors That Influence the

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COMMENTS

  1. Paying for doctor's visits

    If you visit your doctor more than 12 times a year, your doctor can apply to the Ministry of Health for a High Use Health Card (HUHC) for you. This may reduce the cost of your future visits. High Use Health Card. A Community Services Card can help you and your family with cheaper healthcare costs. You may pay less for some health services by ...

  2. Seeing a specialist

    Seeing a specialist. Seeing a specialist. When you see a specialist, you'll visit a medically trained and registered healthcare professional in that field of medicine. In most cases, you need to visit your General Practitioner (GP) first so they can refer you. Not all specialist care is funded by the government.

  3. How to Pay for Healthcare Services in New Zealand

    The cost of healthcare in New Zealand varies depending on the treatment. However, the standard cost for a GP's consultation for non-residents is around NZ$80, while prescriptions are around NZ$5 to $15. Bear in mind, however, that much healthcare in New Zealand is heavily subsidised, so it is relatively affordable.

  4. Healthcare for tourists and visitors to New Zealand

    Healthcare for tourists and visitors to New Zealand. Healthcare for tourists is covered for accidental injuries. Everyone in New Zealand, including visitors, is covered for medical care for accidental injuries through ACC. When you visit a doctor or hospital for an injury, you will be asked to fill out a form so ACC can pay for your treatment.

  5. A Traveller's Guide to Healthcare in New Zealand

    They will advise on whether to see a doctor, where to find the nearest doctor or whether to see a pharmacist. The Healthline is available 24/7. Call: 0800 611 116. By the way, for other useful phone numbers to know in NZ, check out Important Contacts & Telephone Numbers for Travelling New Zealand.

  6. Paying for Healthcare in New Zealand

    Paying for healthcare services. You may be eligible for New Zealand's public healthcare system, for which the government pays most of the costs. If you are not eligible, make sure you have travel insurance that includes health cover. Free or subsidised health and disability services are provided to eligible people in New Zealand.

  7. Doctor price comparison NZ

    Read the 2024 GP Fees Report. Compare GP fees from 1000+ practices across New Zealand with this free easy-to-use tool. Compare doctors near you and find the cheapest price. Don't pay more than you need to for a doctors visit! Find a GP which meets your budget.

  8. Government help with healthcare if you're over 65

    If you have an ongoing health problem that means you visit the doctor more than 12 times a year, a High Use Health Card reduces the cost of future visits and prescriptions. ... Visits to specialists are usually free if they're arranged through Te Whatu Ora — Health New Zealand, or if you need to see a specialist after an accident. You might ...

  9. Visiting a doctor

    After-hours care. Call Healthline for free health advice from registered nurses, 24 hours a day. Phone 0800 611 116. General practices are usually open business hours, Monday to Friday. Every practice is required to have arrangements for their patients to receive care outside these hours.

  10. General practices

    In Aotearoa New Zealand, you can choose the doctor or general practice that you visit. You can search Healthpoint for general practices. You can filter your search based on their hours, location, services and if they are enrolling new patients. ... The cost of a visit will be lower if you are enrolled with the practice. This is because the ...

  11. Hospital visits

    Hospital visits. Find out what hospital services are free of charge for eligible people. Whatu Tāniko. If you need emergency medical care, you will always be looked after if you go to a hospital. These services are free of charge for eligible people: inpatient and outpatient treatment at public hospitals. x-rays and tests done in public hospitals.

  12. The Easy Way to See a Doctor for Tourists Travelling in New Zealand

    CareHQ is a New Zealand online clinic that offers remote GP consultations through its phone app or website. All consultations are with New Zealand-registered GPs who are all highly trained in giving consultations remotely. They are available to international visitors from 7 am to 7 pm, 7 days a week. During your online consultation, the GP will ...

  13. Cheaper GP visits for 600,000 Kiwis begin tomorrow

    Cheaper GP visits for 600,000 Kiwis begin tomorrow. Prime minister Jacinda Ardern says making the cost of visiting the doctor much cheaper for almost 600,000 Kiwis will mean more people will be able to get the care they need, when they need it. From tomorrow up to 540,000 Community Services Card holders will see the cost of visiting the doctor ...

  14. New Zealand Healthcare System: Everything You Should Know

    It reduces the cost of all after-hours doctor visits and prescription fees and the cost of a visit to any person's regular doctor. Cost of healthcare services for non-residents and citizens: Eligible individuals under New Zealand's public healthcare system are entitled to the following: Subsidised primary healthcare services, e.g., doctor ...

  15. Doctors, dentists and prescriptions

    Children and some people who need to visit their doctor often can get free or subsidised visits. Seeing a specialist. When you see a specialist, you'll visit a medically trained and registered healthcare professional in that field of medicine. In most cases, you need to visit your General Practitioner (GP) first so they can refer you.

  16. Healthcare Services in New Zealand

    Elder care. New Zealand offers a wide range of services to help the elderly in New Zealand. Services include home care, financial support, social support, rest homes and retirement villages. For full details, call Seniorline 0800 725 463 or visit their website. Support for older people | Seniorline.

  17. Fees

    The Medical Council is committed to operating in a cost effective manner. All fees and disciplinary levies are calculated on a full cost recovery basis. ... Certificate Signed by the Registrar: New Zealand Registration Examination (NZREX Clinical): ... Restoration of registration (Note: Fee is for doctors previously on the register) $367.39 ...

  18. PDF The Cost of Health Care in New Zealand

    The Cost of Health Care in New Zealand. Healthcare in New Zealand is a mixture of free services and subsidised services (where patients pay a fee to cover some of the costs). We will always try to ensure all our patients benefit from any funded services that they are eligible for. Providing health care services and running a medical centre ...

  19. Collecting and paying for medicines

    If you've visited the doctor more than 12 times in the last 12 months, you may qualify for an HUHC. The HUHC may reduce the cost of: prescription fees; fees for after-hours general practice visits; visits to a general practice where you are not enrolled; High-Use Health Card - Health New Zealand | Te Whatu Ora website (external link) SuperGold card

  20. Find a doctor

    Use Healthpoint to search for a doctor near you. Or phone Healthline on 0800 611 116. It costs less to visit a doctor if you're enrolled as a patient with them. They'll also be familiar with your medical history and will have your records handy.

  21. Information about how much it costs to visit a doctor (GP) in NZ

    At the medical centre I belong to the fees for a standard GP consultation are as follows: Enrolled patients: Children aged 0 - 5: free. Children aged 6 - 17: $10. 18 - 24 years: $30. 25+: $35. Prescription medicines: $3. Non-enrolled patients: NZ residents: $60. Non-residents: $80.

  22. King Charles to scale back tour of Australia on doctor's orders

    While the trip around New Zealand is likely to be axed all together. The visit by the King and Queen would be the first trip to Australia by a reigning monarch since 2011.

  23. High Use Health Card

    If you visit your doctor more than 12 times in a year, talk to your doctor about the High Use Health Card to lower the cost of the visits. ... The HUHC reduces the cost for enrolled patients to visit their regular doctor. Prescriptions are generally not subsidised by the HUHC. The Ministry of Health page lists other potential benefits.

  24. Free health checks for children under 14

    Doctor's visits for children under 14. Children under 14 can get: free visits to the doctor they're enrolled with — nearly every GP offers free visits, but it's wise to check first. free prescriptions — there's no charge for standard prescriptions, although you may have to pay for some medicines or extra services.